Brad Stevens: Boston Celtics rookie RJ Hunter could get a chance soon

http://www.masslive.com/celtics/index.ssf/2015/11/brad_stevens_boston_celtics_ro_2.html


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Brad Stevens: Boston Celtics rookie RJ Hunter could get a chance soon (notes)


Print Email Jay King | mjking@masslive.com By Jay King | mjking@masslive.com

on November 04, 2015 at 1:10 PM




BOSTON -- The other night, R.J. Hunter's father grabbed a plane ticket to Boston for his son's potential NBA debut. It didn't happen, though. The younger Hunter sat on the bench for all 48 minutes, waiting his turn behind a deep crop of Celtics veterans.

The rookie has yet to play during the regular season, but his time could come soon.

"He's doing well," Celtics head coach Brad Stevens told reporters Wednesday in Indiana, hours before meeting the Pacers. "He hasn't gotten a chance in the games yet. But he's not far from not only getting a chance, but being an impactful guy."

Through three games, the Celtics are 26th in 3-point shooting percentage -- just about the same spot they finished last season. Adding at least one established marksmen was a goal this summer, but didn't happen. Of the five offseason acquisitions, Hunter has the best chance to lift Boston's outside shooting. During the preseason, he also showed off some secondary playmaking skills and better-than-advertised defense.

"He's really gotten better on the defensive end, and his shooting is a real positive," Stevens said. "We'll see if he can impact us sooner rather than later."

Avery Bradley (sprained wrist, fingers) is considered a game-time decision against the Pacers. If he sits (and maybe if he doesn't), Hunter could make his debut.

D-League practice more helpful than NBA shootaround

Why did Boston assign James Young and Jordan Mickey to the Maine Red Claws after Tuesday's practice? Instead of being inactive for the Celtics, the youngsters will get some high-intensity reps at D-League training camp.

"(The Red Claws are) having two-a-days," Stevens explained. "And we just thought rather than doing a 40-minute shootaround and a 15- to 20-minute shooting session before the game, that it would be a lot more beneficial to get three to four hours of hard good work in a good practice. So that was our thought process."

Both players are expected to return to the Celtics for practice Thursday.

Missing small-ball

Because of their deep frontcourt, the Celtics are using small lineups less frequently this season. But those groups charged last season's run, and Stevens sounds like he misses small-ball.

"I like the way (the Pacers are) playing," he said. "It's one of my favorite ways. They've got four shooting guys that are athletes that can drive it or shoot it on the floor at once. And it's hard to guard."

Boston finding a rhythm with a new formula -- or saying forget it and returning to the old one more often -- is vital as the season progresses.

"When we played really well last year we had a lot of similar things going here," Stevens said. "And so as we try to figure ourselves out, I think that's one of the things that certainly as you're getting ready to defend a team like this, that's a real challenge."



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